Texas’ longest serving Republican woman in the state House of Representatives will not seek reelection in 2024.
State Rep. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) announced on Thursday she will not run for reelection once her term is finished next year, she said in a news release.
“With a grateful heart, I am announcing that I will not seek reelection … I look forward to completing my current term on behalf of the wonderful community that I am blessed to call home,” Morrison said.
Morrison did not give a reason for the decision in Thursday’s news release.
Morrison attended Victoria College and was first elected to the state House in 1998 after serving as the executive director of the Governor’s Commission for Women.
As a newcomer, Morrison introduced legislation that led to the “Baby Moses” safe-haven law in Texas, the first state to enact such a law. The statute decriminalized leaving unharmed infants with designated private persons so that the child becomes a ward of the state.
Most recently, the 73-year-old representative has served on the House Appropriations Committee; the Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee; and the Redistricting Committee.
Morrison said her experiences in the House “provided an excellent opportunity to serve my district and our state as we journeyed through years of tremendous growth and prosperity, but also during difficult times, such as facing the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.”
”To this day, I remain inspired by the compassion and determination of our community and the strength and resolve of the Texas spirit,” Morrison said.
On Thursday afternoon, Victoria Mayor Jeff Bauknight expressed his gratitude and appreciation for collaborating with Morrison to help serve the city of Victoria.
”It’s been an honor to work with Representative Morrison on many important issues for the City of Victoria,” Bauknight said. “I appreciate her years of dedicated service to our community and the state of Texas.”
In the release, Morrison thanked her family and the voters who have supported her over more than two decades.
Morrison did not give a reason for the decision in Thursday’s news release.
Credit – Patrick Sloan-Turner, Victoria Advocate
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